2003 Ford Focus Review Summary & Specs
ZX3 Hatchback
Rock solid compact is fun to drive and practical.
Summary & Specs
reviewed by
The Ford Focus continues to be the world's best-selling small car. It's inexpensive yet long on style, practicality and fun.
The Focus comes in a wide variety of body styles to suit all types of lifestyles. The sedans are comfortable and move people efficiently. The ZX3 hatchback proves economical and practical yet can also be sporty and fun. The ZX5 hatchback makes it easier for rear seat passengers to join in the merriment. The wagons can carry a ton of cargo.
SVT brings stellar performance to this class. The Ford Focus SVT is up to the challenge of other sport compacts with strong acceleration performance, agile handling, and excellent brakes.
Ford says it has been working hard to improve the quality of the Focus. Ford has conducted seven U.S. safety recalls of the 2000 Focus, three recalls of 2001 models and one recall of the 2002 Focus. But quality appears to be improving every year. Comparing the 2002 and 2001 models, the Focus improved 17 percent in problems per 100 vehicles after three months in service, according to a J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study. The Focus now falls "just slightly below" the industry average of 133 problems per 100 vehicles, J.D. Power said.
Specs
| Vehicle Category |
Compact Cars |
| Editor |
John Matras |
| Model Lineup |
ZX3 3-door hatchback ($12,680); ZX5 5-door hatchback ($15,385); LX sedan ($13,835); SE sedan ($14,660); ZTS sedan ($15,580); SE wagon ($17,010); ZTW wagon ($17,820); SVT 3-door hatchback ($18,380); SVT 5-door hatchback |
| Engines (standard) |
2.0-liter dohc 16v inline-4 |
| Transmissions (standard) |
6-speed manual |
| Engines (optional) |
110-hp 2.0-liter sohc 8v inline-4; 130-hp 2.0-liter dohc 16v inline-4; 170-hp 2.0-liter dohc 16v inline-4 |
| Transmissions (optional) |
5-speed manual; 4-speed automatic; 6-speed manual |
| Safety Equipment (standard) |
dual front second-generation airbags, side-impact door beams, 3-point front seat belts with adjustable upper mount, pretensioners and load-limiting retractors, center 3-point inertia real safety belts, UCSSD child safety seat attachments, child-locks on rear doors, pressure cut-off proportioning valve on rear brakes, SecuriLock theft-deterrent system |
| Safety Equipment (optional) |
ABS; Advancetrac; traction control; head-and-chest seat-mounted side-impact airbags |
| Basic Warranty |
3 year/36,000 miles |
| Assembled In |
Wayne, Michigan; Hermosillo, Mexico |
| Manufacturer Phone |
1-800-392-FORD |
| Manufacturer URL |
www.fordvehicles.com |
| Base Price MSRP |
$12,680 |
Specs as Tested
| Model Tested MSRP |
Ford Focus SVT 3-door ($18,380) |
| Standard Equipment |
center console, front courtesy lights with theater dimming, door map pockets, cloth trim on doors, removable package tray, sport bucket front seats with height adjust, 60/40 split-fold rear seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, tachometer, driver and passenger vanity mirror, battery saver, rear defroster, solar tinted glass, power point, power steering, trip odometer, rear window wiper/washer, aluminum wheels, power remote locking, power remote mirrors, floor mats; SVT adds four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, rear hatch cargo net, short-throw shifter, fog lights, unique headlamp bezel surround, electroluminescent instruments, black lift gate handle, color-keyed trim, stainless steel pedals, power locks, power windows, power driver's seat, sport bucket seats, rear spoiler, leather-wrapped steering wheel |
| Destination Charge |
515 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) |
Audiophile system ($395) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax |
|
| Price as Tested |
$19,290 |
| Layout |
front-wheel drive |
| Horse Power |
170 @ 7000 |
| Torque |
145 @ 5500 |
| Fuel Economy |
21/25 |
| Wheelbase |
103.0 |
| Length/Width/Height |
168.1/66.9/56.3 |
| Track Front/Rear |
58.8/58.5 |
| Turning Radius |
39.1 |
| Seating Capacity |
5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room |
39.3/49.4/43.1 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room |
|
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room |
38.7/49.5/37.6 |
| Trunk Volume |
18.6 |
| Payload |
|
| Towing Capacity |
1000 |
| Front Suspension |
independent |
| Rear Suspension |
independent |
| Ground Clearance |
|
| Curb Weight |
2750 |
| Stock Tires |
P215/45R17 Continental ContiSportContact |
| Brakes Front/Rear |
disc/disc with ABS |
| Fuel Capacity |
13.2 |